Police: Suspect in officer shooting kills himself as he's being arrested

Posted: Friday, June 11, 2010

By DAN JOLING

ANCHORAGE - A 24-year-old Anchorage man suspected of seriously wounding a police officer during a traffic stop killed himself late Wednesday night as police tried to arrest him, authorities said.

Kenneth Robinson was suspected of shooting officer Jean Mills, 45, early Wednesday morning as she made a traffic stop in east Anchorage.

Investigators identified Robinson as the suspect and SWAT team officers converged on a house in west Anchorage shortly before midnight, armed with an attempted murder warrant, police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said.

As Robinson walked outside the home, police tried to arrest him but he pulled out a handgun and shot himself.

"He took his own life when confronted by officers," Parker told The Associated Press.

The suspect's death came several hours after Mills, a 12-year veteran, was wounded in the abdomen and arm.

Parker said early Thursday that she is recovering from surgery and her prognosis is good, but she faces a long and difficult recovery.

It was the second time this year a police officer was shot in Anchorage. Officer Jason Allen was wounded Jan. 9 when a car pulled up next to his vehicle and a passenger fired. The 47-year-old officer, hit multiple times in his arms and torso, is recovering and police are looking for the shooter, Parker said.

Police said the Wednesday's incident began with a routine traffic stop at 3:15 a.m. Parker said he did not know the reason why Mills pulled over Robinson's maroon Taurus.

He said she approached the car on foot, and "when she was outside the window, the person pulled a gun and shot her."

Neighbors told KTUU-TV they woke up to gunshots and screams for help. More than three dozen officers, including a SWAT team, rushed to the area.

The suspect's car was found roughly two miles away near East High School several hours later, Parker said.

Parker called Mills an excellent and respected officer who has worked the same shift most of her career.